Senior Indian journalist Palki Sharma Upadhyay has stepped down from her position as Managing Editor of Firstpost, the digital news platform owned by the Network18 media group, according to multiple reputable news reports and internal communications shared with staff.
The announcement was made to employees during an internal town hall meeting on January 29, 2026 and confirmed in subsequent media coverage. Firstpost has described the decision as part of a planned leadership transition at the organisation.
During her nearly three-year tenure at Firstpost, Sharma played a central role in developing the platform’s global news coverage and editorial direction. She was instrumental in launching and hosting the prime-time international affairs show Vantage, which received significant viewership for its in-depth analysis of world events from an Indian perspective.
In the internal communication, Santosh Menon — Chief Content Officer at Network18 — expressed appreciation for Sharma’s contributions to the editorial team, noting her efforts in strengthening journalistic practices and expanding Firstpost’s digital audience.
Reports indicate that Sharma plans to pursue an independent professional venture, including a possible entrepreneurial project outside the organisation. Specific details about her future plans have not yet been publicly disclosed.
As part of the leadership change at Firstpost, Binoy Prabhakar — a veteran media professional with experience at several major Indian news organisations — has been appointed as the new Chief Content Officer. Firstpost has stated that the editorial team will continue under his guidance during the transition period.
Sharma is expected to remain with the Network18 group for a transitional period to ensure a smooth handover of responsibilities.